Tenko and Pink Panther star Burt Kwouk dies, aged 85

The versatile character actor Burt Kwouk, who will be remembered by different generations as Cato in the Pink Panther films, the prison governor in Tenko and Harry Hill’s comic foil, has died at the age of 85.

A statement issued by his agent said: “Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral, but there will be a memorial at a later date.”

He appeared in seven Pink Panther films opposite Peter Sellers as Clouseau’s servant, who regularly attacked his employer to keep him alert, and he also appeared in three James Bond films, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice and Casino Royale.

Born in Warrington, Cheshire, Burt was raised in Shanghai and was given an OBE in the 2011 New Year Honour List.

Burt had a remarkably varied career– from the Inspector Clouseau and James Bond films, he went on to star in classic TV series The Avengers, The Saint, Doctor Who, Tenko, Last of the Summer Wine, The House of Elliott and many many more.

He could play anything from broad comedy to serious drama. One of his greatest roles was as the conflicted prison camp commandant, Major Yamauchi, in hit BBC1 series Tenko, who demonstrated humanity to his prisoners while also trying to maintain loyalty to the Japanese emperor.

To younger audiences he was best known as Harry Hill’s comic foil in his comedy series in the 1990s, while he also provided the voiceover for Channel 4’s anarchic gambling show Banzai in the early 2000s.

David Bowie’s son, film director Duncan Jones was among the first to pay tribute to Burt on Twitter, saying he was a ‘lovely man’ who was always willing to work with film students like hmself.

Just heard the wonderful Burt Kwouk has passed away. Lovely man. Was willing to work with film students like myself. pic.twitter.com/JnXayuly9g

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